Caucasian Bluestem
Bothriochloa bladhii
Also known as: Dichanthium bladhii
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Angola, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Borneo, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, China, DR Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Hainan, India, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jawa, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kirgizstan, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Mali, Maluku, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Guinea, Nigeria, North Caucasus, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Réunion, Rodrigues, Senegal, South Africa, South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Wallis-Futuna Is., Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
USDA NRCS National Plant Materials Center Beltsville, MD
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Bothriochloa
- Species:
- Bothriochloa bladhii
- USDA Symbol:
- BOBL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- bronze, tan
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from crown and rhizomes after fire. Common in fire-maintained grasslands and savannas.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy to loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in open grasslands and savannas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm soil temperatures above 20°C. Light aids germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI